No Good Thing Comes From A Dull Place…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s windy and way too cold for me to spend more than a minute or two outside on the front porch, so I met with the Author and Perfector of my Faith inside with a hot cup of coffee instead. The snow you see on the ground is all that fell on Sunday as part of the BLIZZARD of the decade. All the more reason to Trust God’s Plans instead of man’s silly projections. I spent my time with Him like a child on a Treasure Hunt this morning, and He Delivered more than I could ever have dreamed of today. His Words came to life in my Soul, and every page I turned in my Instruction Manual had a Message just for me. I smiled. I cried. I confessed. I felt encouraged. I overflowed with Gratitude for my God, for His Word, and for Loving me enough to Guide me every day of my Life…AND for a Heart that is forever excited about the Most High God. Isn’t that the way it is for you in your Journey of Faith sometimes, too?
I like to say that there’s nothing dull about my life, and if you ever get close enough to see for yourself, you’d definitely agree. It’s filled with ups and downs and plenty of challenges. It’s filled with laughter, storytelling, and tears. It’s filled with extraordinary Love and sometimes it’s filled with adversity too. It’s filled with my crazy ideas for how to make this old farm even more beautiful than it is… never-ending dreamer that I am. It’s filled with unexpected good and sometimes unwelcome not-so-good. I could entertain the world with stories about the messes I’ve managed to get myself into – especially when I’ve attempted to get ahead of God – and I can attest to the Mercy of my God every time He reached down and got me out of my own way…because of His Love and Faithfulness…and because I Trust Him. When He says He’ll take us by the hand and lead us…HE MEANS IT…AND HE WILL…EVERY SINGLE TIME. BUT we actually have to reach for Him…and Trust Him.
There are lots of reasons why my life isn’t dull, and although it has much to do with my “inquisitive” personality and the way I see life, the REAL Reason my Life is not dull is that it Overflows with the Living God, and there’s absolutely nothing dull about Him. Sometimes I think He makes sure to keep me far and away from “dull” because He knows that it’s a waste of time on me. After all, I’ll spin the dull into Joy every chance I get. But more than that, He Knows that my Security doesn’t come through routine…my Security comes solely from Him! He knows that He’ll always get the Credit for the Journey and Praises for the Outcome…whether the outcome is “in my favor” or not. Whatever the reason, I’m happy to Walk the Journey of “never dull,” and since I’ve been given a Voice for Him, I’m always happy to Share “just one more thing” that the Hand of God Handled on my behalf. My Never Dull God Loves me, and He Transformed me into a Useable Vessel with a Tenderized Heart – it took a whole lot of Refusing to be dull for Him to Prepare me for that!
Sometimes I comment on how easy it is for people to get into a rut in life and how “dull” it looks from where I’m sitting. Ugh…the same old routine day after day brings comfort to some people because it’s “routine” or “familiar” and because it’s human nature to want to know what to expect on any given day. Those people trade excitement for routine, all because they’re too afraid (or too lazy) to live out their Journey with Faith. Unfortunately for them, there’s a high price to pay for “dull” in the process. Dull leads to lifeless relationships where two people shuffle through life like a pair of old shoes, satisfied to exhibit “love” by way of their routines day in and day out. Sadly, nothing Spectacular ever comes to them because their security comes by way of familiarity and routine, so it takes precedence over everything else. They seem to be satisfied just to get through another day without anything “bad” or unexpected happening…”dull” is their biggest goal.
Plenty of people get caught up in the hectic schedules that come with raising a family, and they like routine more than most because of it. But when we merely go through the motions of a hectic life, we miss out on the Spectacular in the process, and before you know it, one day blurs into another, and the only thing we have to show for it is age. There is a very high price to pay in the long run for “dull” in any situation in life, BUT the Biggest Price we pay for our need for dull and our addiction to routine is allowing our Walk with the Living God to become routine too- and we surrender the Spectacular in the process because of it. He’s a Spectacular God with a Spectacular Plan for each One of His Creations…but we can only ever really Experience His Fullness when we step into unfamiliar territory, and we refuse to let Life with Him EVER become dull.
My life is never dull for lots of reasons, and I like it that way. Because I’m not addicted to routine and I don’t succumb to my human need for the familiar, I have the most Amazing Life! When I read His Words, there’s nothing dull about them, and when I study His People, there’s nothing dull about them either. The only routine that has ever mattered from the beginning of Creation until now is the Routine that comes when you Follow a Spectacular God, and you let go of all those things we’re inclined to depend upon here on this earth.
No, there’s nothing dull or routine about my Life and there never will be…and I probably drive most people crazy because of it. I don’t EVER want to lose out on the Spectacular that comes through the ups and downs, and Watching the Hand of my Spectacular God do the heavy lifting. More than anything else, THAT’S why my Life is a Witness to the dark world – I live an imperfect but Spectacular Life filled with uncertainty, and I totally depend on Him through it all. When you look at it that way, nothing with Him could EVER be dull, and it will ALWAYS be Full of Surprises IF you anticipate them.
How about you?
“All To Thee My Blessed Savior, I Surrender All”
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I began this new day with a Heart overflowing with Gratitude, and I surrendered all that I have and all that I am to Him all over again. Surrendering my all is pretty much a daily thing for me because I know that if I’m not careful, I could easily convince myself that what I have is MINE and that He’s just the generous gatekeeper. When we learn to Surrender everything to Him…our time, talent, AND treasures…the Journey of Life takes on a new Light, and Peace and Gratitude overflow beyond what most people can even imagine. If I see my family as a precious Gift that doesn’t belong to me, I serve my family with Excellence…with a Christlike Heart above all. When I see my treasures (treasures like this beautiful farm) as a Temporary Assignment and a chance to Steward something that doesn’t belong to me, I Surrender it to His Service instead of hoarding it for my own pleasure. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life, too?
There once was a woman who loved Jesus so much that she took her most valuable possession to share with Him. It was a flask of exotic oil worth a small fortune in those days. When she broke the flask and poured the oil over the head of Jesus, the onlookers were outraged. How could she “waste” something so valuable when it could have been “sold and given to the poor?” She acted out of selfless love – giving all that she had – having no idea that she was preparing Jesus for His burial. Jesus rebuked the critics and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her”…and so it is. While the onlookers were calculating how much money could be made by selling this gift, Jesus was looking at her Heart and He saw that her love for her Savior compelled her to give her very best to Him. Most people today are like those onlookers. They calculate the cost of time and treasures before they give to Jesus, and if it doesn’t make “financial sense” to them, they withhold their best from Him. Somehow, they’ve gotten the Truth very mixed up. They’ve convinced themselves that because Jesus loves them, He wants them to have the very best and that He doesn’t want them to suffer or sacrifice. But Loving Jesus shows in how we Give and how we Sacrifice in His name….just like the woman who gave her prized possession, and who is still talked about today.
It’s when we get to that place where we realize that absolutely nothing in this world belongs to us that we Surrender it all to Him, and we give what we have out of LOVE. It’s when we stop focusing on our own needs and our own “plans for the future” that the needs of others are revealed, but that’s the most beautiful Biblical Truth that the selfish heart of man can’t easily see. Why would we hesitate to give what already belongs to Him? When we give with a Surrendered Heart…time, talent, treasures…it always comes back tenfold. That’s not a prosperity theology message that teaches that if you just put more into the offering plate, you’ll miraculously get a lot more in return. That’s nonsense! But God sees the Heart and you can’t outgive Him no matter how hard you try. When we give out of Love for Him, He’ll take care of our needs and beyond. But if what we give isn’t done with a Surrendered Heart – if it isn’t given with a Heart to please the King of all kings, just save your money. God can’t honor a greedy, self-focused heart. BUT, if we give with a Heart like that woman did so long ago…a valuable gift out of Pure Love, the impact will be as long-lasting for us as her gift is still today.
He has “made my lot secure” and “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” because He loves me, and I Love Him so much that I willingly Surrender it all to Him. The Bible won’t be edited to include my name along with the woman with the flask of oil, BUT MY NAME IS WRITTEN IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE and what I do here – how I treat my family – how I steward my home- how I Give – how I Shepherd – how I Love and how I Share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ – THAT WILL have an eternal impact and my “story” will not be forgotten when I see Jesus.
All that I am, all that I have, it all belongs to Him.
How about you?
How’s The View From Where You’re Sitting?
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s raining again today, and God is busy raising the water table in Virginia just like I’ve asked Him to. First, the snow came, and it lingered for two weeks. Then the temperatures began to rise, the sun began to shine, and a foot of snow slowly melted into the ground. THEN the rain came, and it has fallen on ground that is already saturated with moisture. What is the end result? Well, we’ll definitely have a beautiful spring season because the ground is being nourished, BUT for now, we have one big messy mud pit around the farm. Almost everywhere you step is muddy and mucky, and it would be SO EASY to complain about the mess…IF NOT for a Heart overflowing with Gratitude for the Creator of the rain and for answered prayers that He would nourish the earth. For me, it’s hard to imagine that anyone could question the existence of my God or that anyone could ever convince themselves that the works of nature happened all on their own. I marvel at the Work of His Hands in the morning sky, whether it’s raining, snowing, windy, freezing, hot, or cold, AND in every single little thing that passes through my Life. Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be throughout the Journey of Faith?
I guess some people give credit to “nature” and to “science” because they can’t fathom that the earth was formed by God alone….but they don’t Know my God. They don’t believe that He placed all of the stars in the sky and that He knows them each by name…but they don’t Know my God. They can’t believe that He separated the water from the land and that He gives boundaries to the waves, or that He once flooded the entire earth to destroy what He himself had created, to wipe away the sin, and to begin a New thing…but they don’t Know my God. They can’t imagine that He opens the Heavens to bring forth the rain and the snow and that He withholds them all for His purpose too…but they don’t Know my God. They can’t believe that the earth rattles and shakes, and that volcanoes erupt, with just one word from the Living God… but they don’t know my God. It’s hard for me to believe what others DON’T believe, but I know that it always comes down to Faith and Trust in the God of it all. If you never put your trust in Him and you never Acknowledge His majesty, you can’t see what I see, and you’ll miss the Glory in life for sure. It really is that simple.
It’s easy to give praise to God when you see Him from where I’m sitting. It’s easy to look out upon this imperfect old farm and to see the beauty in every single thing when you see with eyes like mine. I stand in awe of the Majesty of the Living God every single day, and it “shows” in my Life. I am Blessed beyond measure to be able to live here on this beautiful farm, but it’s not real estate I share with the world. It’s a picture of God from the Front Row Seat of my Faith that captures the photos and the hearts from this front porch in Virginia. The View from where I sit has always been good – even (or especially) through the darkest times of my Life. But it’s not the rolling hills or the mountains – it’s not the massive trees or wild flowers that make me “feel better” – it’s the Hand of a Mighty and Majestic God that I look for each and every day. So it’s easy for me to give credit where Credit is due because, as the Bible says, “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”. It really is that simple.
I’m marveling at the Majesty of the Living God on this rainy, muddy morning, and I’m giving Thanks for the Heart that I have for Him. After all, even Faith is a Gift! Although I chose to follow Him, I know that even the Call to my Faith and my Surrendered Heart was ordained by God Almighty. There is no limit to the things that God gets credit for when you Believe that He is the God of it All. It really is that simple.
If you like the View from where I’m sitting, then we might need to have a little chat. The View from my Heart would look the same no matter where I live, and yours can be too if you just give credit where Credit is due and put your Faith in the God of all Creation. If you’re inclined to whine about how good my view is compared to your view, or how “easy” my life is compared to yours…reach out to me. I’ll set you straight on what I’m REALLY looking at outside on the front porch of this farm in Virginia, and when I’m done with you, you’ll not only be giving credit where Credit is due, but you’ll be painting Pictures of your own that others will marvel at too.
It really is that simple.
Stop Trying To Figure It Out AND PRAISE HIM!
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The temperature has been mild over the last few days, and the snow is almost gone forever…or at least it looks that way on the surface. It’s fascinating when you think about it – God forms the ice and snow in the heavens, and He releases them in His Good Time to fall wherever He wants them to fall. Before you know it, the temperatures rise, and the ice and snow melt, and the moisture finds its way into the earth, where the trees drink it up, and eventually it will condense and evaporate only to be returned back into the atmosphere. Only God could Design an intricate water “recycling” Plan like that, that’s for sure. Just when you think the snow is melted and it will never come this way again, we eventually breathe it in. Wow. When you look at it that way, you realize that each new day has enough pleasure and “trouble of its own”. A little snow, a little fog, a little sunshine, and a little pink reflection from the sun bouncing off the clouds this morning, and it’s obvious that this day has a little bit of everything. No doubt this day will overflow with “new” as long as we’re willing to face the day with a Heart of Gratitude and the curiosity of a child! Isn’t that just the way it SHOULD be in our Journey of Faith?
The older I get, the more intrigued I am by how so many people fixate on the weather, as if knowing what the weathermen predict is enough to hang their hat on. Men come close to nailing the forecast through modern technology, that’s for sure, BUT no man can actually (or adequately) predict the Hand of God. Plenty of people are giving credit (or blame) for the extreme weather based upon their vast knowledge of “cloud seeding,” but no man nor any amount of “seeding” the clouds can change the Plans of God, no matter how hard they try. If God wants it to snow or rain, it will. If God wants there to be LOTS of either one, there will be. If God wants to hold back and create a drought for a season, He will. If God wants a hurricane to form that has the potential to obliterate an entire city, He will. Why in the world would I lose one ounce of sleep worrying about something no man can control? He’s not looking for accurate predictions from those He Created, HE’S LOOKING FOR THOSE HE CREATED TO TRUST HIM, even though we don’t Know what His next move is. That’s what Faith looks like – a surrender to His Will, even if we don’t understand it, and complete trust in Him through the storms. The icing on the Spiritual Cake is to PRAISE HIM through it all.
This day will have a little bit of everything going on. Instead of trying to figure out when the rain will fall or questioning Him about the stinky state of the World I choose to Trust Him AND I WILL PRAISE HIM for Who He is no matter what.
How about you?,
Job 38:4-11 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? “Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!’
How Important is YOUR Witness?
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s going to be a busy day as usual, so getting ME ready for what is ahead is always the first step in launching a new day. It all starts with a good Meeting with the Master and some Words of Wisdom for the ride. This image of the sun reflecting on the window serves as a beautiful reminder to me of how my Greatest Mission in this Journey of Faith is to be all that I can be to be a Good Reflection of Him…maybe not as bright and not as big, that’s for sure…but just as beautiful as I can make it be before He calls me Home. I’m His Ambassador…I stand for Him and WITH Him throughout this Journey called Life, and what I Reflect will make the Biggest Difference of all. Isn’t that your Goal for the Journey too?
It doesn’t serve much purpose (beyond ourselves) for us to live life according to our own rules without a care in the world for what God wants. We can lock ourselves inside our homes and tune into the TV or the Internet for hours on end, but what kind of Reflection is that of Him? If we genuinely have our One Way Ticket to Heaven secured, then we should KNOW what’s expected of us in the meantime. Sitting in the comfort of our own homes and refusing to be a Reflection of Him may not disqualify us for the Journey, but it won’t bring glory to our God either…and it doesn’t fulfill our Purpose. What we do while we’re here on this earth is Preparation for what we’ll be doing in Heaven. We’ll have roles and jobs, and although I don’t fully understand all of it myself, I know that I want to be ready to do whatever He wants me to do for all of Eternity. I don’t want to be sitting on the sidelines in Heaven, or to be deemed to have had little (or no) impact on others during my time here…I want to hear “WELL DONE!”, so I focus on my Reflection every single day, and I make Pleasing Him my first Priority.
I may not reach the Heart of ALL the people I encounter along the way, but there is NO DOUBT that they see the Reflection of Jesus Christ in me…at least most of the time. There’s nothing worse than to say something or to do something in the presence of another that causes them to question my Faith or criticize my God, all because of a poor Reflection. When people witness us NOT walking the walk we talk about, they often dismiss us as “hypocrites” – and rightfully so. It could be a harsh word or a judgmental attitude or anything that doesn’t Reflect well on my Faith. But when that happens – and I see them jump at the opportunity to criticize me and question my Faith – I don’t make excuses for myself, and I sure don’t shrug it off. I feel shame immediately because of my poor Reflection of Him, knowing that there is NO EXCUSE for me or my behavior…and I make sure they know it when I ask for forgiveness. Most of the time, I stop them in their tracks as I humbly ask them to forgive me for being such a poor Reflection of such an amazing God. Sometimes when I screw up in the presence of another, it ultimately serves a very Good Purpose… “ALL things work together for good.” Those times of “failure” become my opportunity to Reflect Christlike humility, and it’s their chance to hear the Real Story of Redemption. Despite my imperfections, if I continue to strive to be a Reflection of Christ in all that I do and all that I say, then I know that I’ll Successfully Fulfill the Greatest Purpose for my Life here on earth.
I won’t be “perfect” today, no matter how much my Heart wants to be (or how hard I try) because I won’t reach Perfection until I reach Heaven, but I’m sure going to try to be the best Reflection of Him that I can be while I’m here. When I mess up, I’m going to make it right with Him AND with the one who got a glimpse of a bad Reflection. After all, if I am going to be His Ambassador, then I need to Represent who He is…NOT who I am. I’m just an imperfect woman Serving the Perfect King with everything I’ve got!
How about you?
Beneath The Surface…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The temperature has risen, the rain has fallen, and the snow that fell two weeks ago is finally melting away. What’s left isn’t very pretty – patches of snow and LOTS of mud – and if that’s all you focus on, then it isn’t possible for you to see the beauty I see from the front porch. I see the Hand of God bringing the moisture that the Virginia ground so desperately needs. In reality, we’re not in a drought AGAIN, we’re in a drought STILL because we’ve never really recovered since the last one. Our land needs more than just a little rain here and there…it needs a slow drenching that is sometimes made possible with a lot of slow-melting snow. As I pondered the patchy fields and our need for water this morning, I thought about how that’s just the way it is in the Journey of Faith. If God’s people don’t DETERMINE to get lots of daily drenching of Living Water, we could end up being so spiritually parched that it’s nearly impossible to recover from it, too! Isn’t that just the way you see your Journey of Faith?
When I consider how dry it really is below the surface of the land around me, all I can see is greed. We definitely need God to bring the rain and snow to nourish the earth, but our drought problem isn’t as simple as that. Farms all around us have been bought out, and the once open fields are being covered with new construction. The end result: The aquifers are being drained faster than rain can replenish them. No doubt, our pain is self-inflicted because, as Habakkuk said, “they” are as greedy as the grave. What a perfect description for such a time as this…greed that never has enough. It’s what lies beneath that can be our downfall every time and in every way.
When Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land he wanted to settle in, Lot chose the land more likely to produce good results – rich land near water and one with endless financial possibilities because of it. The same as the builders and buyers targeting our land, Lot chose his land by what he SAW on the outside and NOT by what was hidden beneath, AND his reasons were completely self-centered. Oh, he built wealth, alright, but Lot’s greed nearly cost him everything. This is just the way it is for our Spiritual Journey, it’s what lies beneath the Surface that will often be OUR downfall IF we don’t get a good drenching dose of Living Water every day!
Apparently, the more “successful” Lot became, the more willing he was to turn a blind eye to the sin beneath the surface. Sound familiar? Just as it can be for you and for me, everything was going fine UNTIL it wasn’t. But eventually, God had had enough, and He turned His wrath against the city, destroying everything and (almost) everyone. There IS a “tipping point” that we usually don’t see coming, all because of the “problem” that lies beneath the surface. Rest assured, God’s tolerance for what lies beneath IS NOT endless, and He will bring to Light every wrong eventually…on the surface and below. How many examples do we need to be convinced that God IS ALL – HE SEES ALL – on the surface AND those things we try to hide beneath – and HE WILL NOT BE MOCKED.
The Good News is that if we Determine to drench our lives with Living Water every day, anything and everything can be turned around for Good. It’s never too late for God to show up. It’s impossible to be drenched in Living Water and continue to keep things that go against the Living God below the surface. NOW is the time to bring it all to Light. As for me, I KNOW what it feels like to be spiritually parched, and I NEVER want to find myself there again, so I make sure to get an overflowing dose of the Living Water every day. I may be powerless over the rain and the aquifers, but I AM NOT Powerless over the state of my Soul. It is well.
How about you?
Do You Ever Wonder Why?
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The temperature has risen to above freezing for the last few days, and the snow is finally beginning to melt. Although I could look at the fields covered in snow forever, and I love to see children having fun playing in it despite cold temperatures, I’m glad it is finally melting and that the wildlife will finally be able to access their nourishment. When I met with the Author and Perfecter of my faith this morning, I was inclined to ask God “why?” for so many things. It’s not easy for somebody like me to endure the darkness of this world sometimes, and most of the time it makes no sense to me. For someone who loves to wonder why, and who sometimes spends too much time wondering how and why things work the way they do, the “unknown” could be agonizing IF NOT for the fact that I Trust the Master Plan completely. No matter how much questioning I do as I “wonder why”, I NEVER question The God of the Master Plans in the end. It’s okay for me to wonder why, and I have to believe that the One who Created me isn’t surprised by my over-the-top interest in how things work. I Know that when my Peace is being rattled, the first thing I need to do is to search my own Heart to see if there is anything I could or should have done to avoid the pain, and after that, I trust God with the End Results. I don’t guess God minds it when we ask Him “why?” but He doesn’t owe us an explanation. He’s God, and He has a Master Plan that is always Perfect – so, I have to accept all those things I wonder about and Trust Him with the outcome instead of insisting on knowing why. Isn’t that the way you look at the Journey of Faith, too?
If there’s anything that can cause someone to waiver in their Faith…or cause someone NOT to come to their faith at all…it’s wondering how a Loving God could allow anything to happen that would cause us pain. But God doesn’t look at this Journey through OUR eyes…He looks at the Journey through Eyes that see the Entire Picture from beginning to end, and He always has a Master Plan beyond the pain we feel. It’s not possible for a human being to accept the loss of a child, especially when they leave this life too soon – But God planted the seed of life within them, and He knew their Days EVEN BEFORE we knew them. I think we could question “why?” for the rest of our lives without ever getting the answer – but I like to think that God needs us and when He needs us, He calls us Home in His due time…old and young. It brings comfort to me when I think about how He welcomes each one Home with Open Arms, and no matter how young or old they are, He’s happy to see them, and He’ll put them to Work. When I look at it that way, the “why?” begins to fade, and eventually I accept the pain AND the Plan.
I don’t know why there are hungry people. I don’t know why there are people living on cold streets with no warm place to go. I don’t know why disease robs the body. I don’t know why there is heartbreak. I don’t know why people are alone, and I don’t know why relationships fail. I don’t know why we suffer. I don’t know why some live a long life, and some leave too soon. I don’t know why fires and floods rob us of homes, treasures, and life. I don’t know why a human being would take the life of another. I don’t know why we murder our unborn. I don’t know why a parent would abuse their own child. I don’t know why we’re lied to over and over again. I don’t know why we’re judged and persecuted. I don’t know why people come and go in our lives. I don’t know why we go from abundance to poverty or the other way around. There’s no end to the things we don’t understand, while the heart is sometimes inclined to ask “why?” But it serves no purpose to ask “why?” except to torment us when we don’t get the answers or the outcome we want. If I am a Child of His I have no choice and no Peace unless I trust that He has a Master Plan that is Perfectly Beautiful when it’s seen through His Eyes, and One Day I’ll see how it all Worked Together for Good.
I began this new day with a Heart asking “why?” but I’m at Peace after my Time with Him. He’s the Author and Perfecter of my Faith and He’s the Orchestrator of all Life…from beginning to end and back again. My heart hurts and I feel pain over so many things that I wish I could better understand, but I Serve a Perfect God with a Perfect Master Plan, and even when it doesn’t make sense through my eyes, it makes Perfect Sense through His.
How about you?
Hearts For The Suffering…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I see the Majesty of God in a simple sunrise and it’s as if the light illuminates my Time in His Presence and causes me hunger for more. That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to some people…especially those sleeping through the sunrises in Life…but that’s the way it works for me. I praise. I pray. I hunger for more of Him every day. As I thought about my hunger for more this morning, I thought about the cold temperatures, the ground still covered with snow, and my Heart went out to all the ones suffering because of it- my four-legged friends around the farm that can’t access the earth for nourishment, and all the two-legged friends in need of food and shelter. Most animals will relentlessly search for the help they know they need, but when it comes to the two-legged kind, sadly, many will helplessly freeze to death because they don’t know how or where to search for what they need…and that’s where God’s people (are supposed to) come in – to do for the least of them in His Name. My Heart for those in need Reminded me of a woman so long ago who knew EXACTLY what she needed – she Believed that if she could just touch the hem of the garment of Jesus Christ, she would be made whole. I Know that if I want to be all that He Created me to be, it takes a Heart like that…a Heart with unshakable Faith. a Heart desperate for more, and a Heart that breaks over the suffering of another. So, I reached for His “hem” like never before this morning, and He filled me with everything I need for the Journey of Life today. Isn’t that the way you seek Him, too?
It can be easy to overlook the Power available to all those who Belong to Jesus Christ because we live in a world riddled with lies and deceit…but we miss out on the Miracles if we do. It’s not much different today than it was so long ago when that woman found her way to His hem in a massive crowd of people surrounding Jesus. I’m sure a part of the crowd was around for the ride, while others were there just to see what Jesus could do. There must have been some who just thought it was cool to see Jesus in Action, as if they needed to be entertained! But this woman was there because she KNEW Jesus was her Hope. It wasn’t a surprise to HER that she was instantly healed the moment she touched His hem. No doubt she prayed countless prayers for healing throughout the twelve years she suffered. No doubt she cried a million tears living as an outcast because she was labeled “unclean” and therefore unworthy to be around others. Even her own family had rejected her. But when this woman heard about Jesus, she didn’t “hope” He could heal her…she KNEW He could heal her if she just got close enough to touch even the hem of a garment. There was no magic in the garment itself – the “magic” was that she Believed…absolutely, positively, without a doubt. Lots of people follow Him, and plenty claim to be His child, but far too few actually Believe that if they could just “touch the hem of his garment,” they would be healed… absolutely, positively, without a shadow of a doubt. Is it any wonder people don’t see Miracles for themselves if they don’t believe they’re possible in the first place?
Some of the people suffering through the cold without food or (proper) shelter won’t come looking for help – Help needs to come looking for them instead. Some of them are so lost that they have no desire for a Changed Life – but an opportunity for a changed life needs to be offered to them anyway. Some of them don’t want to leave the “safety” of their street shelter because, sadly, that’s where they feel safe, but Safety needs to be shared nonetheless. With a Heart that Loves like Jesus Loves, none of those details matter and should NEVER be the reason we don’t offer help. The suffering need Love. The suffering need Compassion. The suffering needs Jesus…the Jesus that can change a Life with just the touch of His garment.
I began this magnificent new day with a Heart for the suffering and a Life hungering for more. I Believe in Him, and I Believe in Miracles…absolutely, positively, without a shadow of a doubt.
I serve a supernatural God, and I expect supernatural things as part of my Journey of Faith.
His Word isn’t a history book to me, and it can never become obsolete.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore, and the same Jesus who healed that woman so long ago stands at the right side of the Throne of God today, ready, willing, and able to perform Miracles in the lives of all who Believe. My Faith is unwavering…I’m unshakable…and because of that, I’m Unstoppable too. I’ll be reaching for the hem of His garment all the days of my Life and nothing can stop me from sharing the God of Miracles with the world.
How about you?
“THEN I Will Heal Their Land”…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I’ve had my meeting with the Leader of the World, and I’ve gotten a good dose of Wisdom from my Instruction Manual. I’m ready to take on this new day and whatever happens to come my way. This flag proudly flies all year long as a sign of my love for my country, but it is also a daily reminder for me to Reach out to the Leader of the World to ask for His Mercy and Protection for this land of mine, too. I figure if He created the Heavens and the earth and He’s the ruler over all, then it’s probably a good idea to give Him my vote and to Trust Him with the Future of my land. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith, too?
America isn’t the America I grew up with. It’s hard to recognize it anymore, but I love it still the same, and I’ll never stop believing that it is the greatest country in the world. I am aware of what’s going on around me, I follow politics, I’m well informed, and absolutely nothing could stop me from voting, no matter what the polls look like or how discouraged I am…I have to be sure to do my part, too. But my Priorities have little to do with this country. Despite the turmoil we see today, and despite the wide selection of candidates rallying to be the next leader of the free world, God will ALWAYS be the Ultimate Authority on who goes to the White House (or the outhouse) next. Nobody sneaks past God. Nobody outvotes God. Nobody steals an election. Nobody buys their way into anything WITHOUT the permission of God. Nobody will ever rule without being ALLOWED TO RULE by the Living God himself. God doesn’t pick and choose based on politics and power. God will determine where His people stand, and He’ll either offer reinforcement based on Heart, OR He’ll let them get a good dose of what happens when they turn from Him. If we don’t like where America is today, it’s time to stop the blame game and take a close look in the mirror.
God’s promises are always true, and He’s the only “candidate” that really matters when it comes down to it. All of the rest is just details and creative campaigning. The answer to a restored America goes well beyond the voting booth. If you think getting people out to vote is a challenge, think about how difficult it is to get them to do WHAT GOD SAYS needs to be done to “heal our land”! This is the key to having a great America again…straight from God Almighty Himself:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”
I don’t see God saying anything about ranting and raving and shaking our fists at who is in the White House or who wants to be there next. I don’t see anything that justifies endless bantering and posting about the character of one or the other OR violence on the streets. Whoever occupies ANY office was Decided by God before the foundations of the earth, and whoever comes next will be too. It’s that simple…and that scary.
I hear a few prayers for our country here and there, but they’re usually slanted toward current affairs and not toward the God who can heal our land.
I don’t hear prayers surrendering the outcome to the Most High God or prayers acknowledging that He has a Purpose for where we are today and who’s been leading so far.
I don’t hear prayers begging for MERCY for our broken land, and I definitely don’t see Humility or a turning from our “wicked ways”.
What’s the definition of insanity again?
Only God Knows For Sure…
Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and calm on this new day of a new week, and although the temperature is supposed to rise to the freezing point, I’ll believe it when I see it. I like to see for myself what’s in store for every new day, and I don’t pay much attention to man-made predictions, even if they’re made using state-of-the-art man-made technology, and I’m definitely not one to panic over what is predicted by man because I place my Faith in the one who Created the moon and the stars. Some people will be anxiously awaiting a “word” from a groundhog today about the timing of Spring as if that creature can predict the weather. It’s amazing how the human heart can’t seem to bear to “wait and see,” and it is forever chasing some version of the truth to satisfy its thirst to know. As I sat in the Presence of the Greatest Truth Teller and the only One able to accurately Predict events all the way to Eternity, I thought about how many people lose their way as they long to live in tomorrow before it ever even gets here. Isn’t that the way you see it, too?
There’s a lot to be said about modern technology and man’s ability to predict everything from a winter storm to cancer, BUT God always has, and always will, have the Final Say over it all. The same God who calmed the storm with the sound of His voice can do the same thing today, no matter what the radars say. The same God who parted the sea to make a way for millions of people to escape can STILL make a way today. The same God who caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to rise again, is STILL in the Healing business today, no matter what the test results have to say. No doubt I make people crazy when I hear (but don’t rely on) what modern science has to say. I’m sure I make them shake their heads when I say, “Let’s see what God has to say” to whatever they’re relying on as truth. But I’m also pretty sure I make them crazy (in a good way) when they realize I don’t really care what their physician has to say about this ailment or that ailment – I ONLY care about what MY Physician has to say about Faith and His ability to heal anyone at any time. So, you’ll have to excuse me as I put my Faith in Him without hesitation and despite what man has to say. This is the Key to BELIEF!
The Bible is the best-selling Book of all time, and it is packed full of 4,000 years of Truth about what has been and what will be. The Messiah is mentioned in all 66 books of the Bible, and His birth was prophesied hundreds of years before He was ever born. We know when and where He was born. We know how many years He lived. We know He was crucified and rose again on the 3rd day, and we know He’s coming back. The “problem” is that we DON’T KNOW WHEN. Jesus said, “Nobody knows the day or the hour when all these things will happen. Only God the Father knows when they will happen. The angels who are in heaven do not know. Even the Son (Jesus) does not know”, and that’s the part that makes people crazy. Some come up with all kinds of Biblical “theories” using numbers and stars to predict His coming, but they are no more able to do that than the groundhog can predict the Spring. Some people don’t worry about the “when” part, and they live as if they have FOREVER TO GET READY, while others throw out the entire Bible and call it “nonsense” because the day and hour of the Biggest Appearance of all times have not been made known to man. From where I’m sitting, it doesn’t really matter WHEN He comes…He’s coming in God’s Time no matter what predictions man makes. The only thing we should concern ourselves with is whether (or not) WE ARE READY for His Return…whenever that is.
I don’t care much about what man says about the future; I only care what God says about it. “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” so I don’t need a groundhog, a scientist, or some sort of psychic to tell me when the King is coming back…I’m sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see. Since I don’t know if He’ll return in the next hour OR a thousand years from now, I LIVE and LOVE (and repent) as if it’s today. I don’t “wish I knew” any more than He wants me to Know, and what He wants me to Know is so beautiful that it defies words. I know He’s already “prepared” a place for me, even though I’m not sure when I’ll move there. I know that I’ll never shed another tear, and I’ll suffer no more pain when I get there. I know my loved ones will be there with me too – at least the ones who Know Him as I do will be, and that’s why I work hard to share the Truth. I know I’ll get a new body that will never be sick and die. And the best part is that I KNOW Jesus will be there waiting for me and He’s going to welcome me Home Personally! When I know this much with absolute certainty, why in the world would I concern myself with knowing the day or the hour or anything in between that man predicts? Besides, because I DON’T know for sure when He’s coming for me, it keeps me on my toes Preparing for the King every day!
How about you?
My Front Porch 
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